So this Panera is downtown in the Charlotte Plaza building (same building as the Carolina Ale House & Charlotte School of Law). Like all things downtown, this Panera is in a compressed space, but it's impressive how they configured everything to make it feel like a stand-alone Panera set up.
There are a ton of "fast-lane" kiosks to try and handle the lunch rush that usually happens in Uptown. This morning the line was free, but I didn't feel like explaining my order to a person so I went straight for the kiosk. I know - call it "impersonal" but some mornings I just don't want to deal with anyone until I get something in my belly and some coffee.
The staffer that brought my food out was pretty friendly and my food was exactly how I wanted it.
There's an outdoor patio space to eat on, there is also an "outdoor" space in the lobby of the building that has tables you can be "outside" of the Panera, but still be sheltered from the elements.